Collapsible coop.



H. WILBERN.

COLLAPSIBLE 00oF. APPLICATION FILED FEB-7.1916.

139,527; Patented Dec. 19,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. WILBERN.

COLLAPSIBLE COOP.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 7. 1916.

1 09,527. PatentedDec. 19, 1916;

2 SHEET$-SHEET 2- P3 A5 HERBERT WILBERN, 0F CON CORDIA, MISSOURI.

COLLAPSIBLE COOP.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT WILBERN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Concordia, in the county of Lafayetteand State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Coops, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention contemplates the provision of a shipping crate, wherein the component parts of the same are associated in a manner to permit of their folding in compact form, so that the crates will occupy a minimum amount of space during transportation.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be thoroughly understood when the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invert tion residing in the specific construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this specification like numerals of reference indi cate similar parts in the several views and wherein:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the crate ready for use. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View therethrough, the partition be ing shown in folded position. Fig. 3 is a view of the crate folded. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view therethrough. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the intermediate posts of the crate.

Before entering into a detail description of what is herein shown, I desire to have it understood that the various parts of the crate may be constructed from any suitable material, and desired dimension without departing from the spirit of the invention. As shown in this particular instance the crate comprises a bottom 10 preferably constructed from a single sheet of metal bent up on all sides to provide vertical end flanges 11 and side flanges l2. Pivotally connected with the end flanges 11 are the corner posts 18, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected with the cross bars 14 and the parallel longitudinally extending side bars 15. The corner posts are further connected by means of spaced parallel strands of wire 16, which together with the cross bars 14 and longitudinal bars 15 provide end walls A and side walls B of the crate. The cross bars 14 and side bars 15 are further connected by spaced parallel strands of wire 17 which constitute the top C of the crate, the latter being further provided with the doors Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed February 7, 1916. Serial No.

Patented Dec. 19, 1916. 76,717.

18 which are arranged at the opposite sides of the vertical partition D.

Secured to the bottom 10 adjacent the opposite sides thereof, are the attaching portions 20 of the vertically disposed lugs 21, the latter having pivotally connected therewith in any suitable manner intermediate side posts 22, these elements being formed at their upper ends with offset ears 23 permanently connected with the parallel side bars 15 in any suitable manner. The post 22 has suitable openings through which the wires 16 pass, and thereby form a part of the side walls B. By reason of the pivotal connection between the corner posts 11 and base 10, and the intermediate post 22 and lugs 21, the side and end walls of the crate are adapted to fold transversely across the bottom in the manner shown in Fig. 3. It will be noted that the pivot for the post 22 is out of alinement with the pivot for the corner posts 13, and that the post 22 is provided with an elongated slot 24 to provide for the proper movement between these parts and their pivots during the folding operation. The side flanges 12 are provided with alined slots 25 opening at the upper edges of the flanges and adapted to receive the intermediate posts 22 as the crate is collapsed to permit the parts to lie perfectly flat when folded. It is of course to be understood that the crate be folded in the direction toward either side.

lVith a crate of this character I provide a vertical partition D preferably consisting of the vertical frame members 26 which are connected by means of the cross members 27, and also connected by means of the spaced parallel wires 28. The vertical members 2.6 are hingedly connected in any suitable manner to the attaching portions 20 of the lugs 21 to permit the partition to lie flat upon the bottom when the component parts of the crate are in folded position. The partition not only divides the crate into separate compartments, but when arranged vertically the members 26 are adapted to engage the intermediate post 22, and a suitable fastening element 29 such as a bolt or the like passed through these parts and associated with a nut 30 to retain the partition in operative position. With the partition thus arranged, the side and end-walls of the crate are held rigidlyin set up position. It will be further noted that access may be had to all parts of the crate for the purpose of cleansing the some, and that the crate may be quickly and easily collapsed or set up in position when desired.

What is claimed is p 1. A crate comprising a bottom side and end Walls pivotally connected together with said bottom to fold as a unit transversely across the latter, intermediate side posts pivotally associated with the bottom and forming a part of said side Walls, a vertical partition adapted to fold upon said bottom, and means for locking said partition with one of said intermediate posts whereby the component parts of the crate are rigidly held in set up position.

2. A crate comprising a bottom, side and end flanges rising from the edges thereof, side and end Walls pivotally connected to- Cofpies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the gether and mounted upon said end flanges to fold as a unit transversely across said bottom, opposed lugs secured to said bottom, intermediate side posts} forming a part of said side Walls pivotally connected to said lugs and adapted to fold through slots in said side flanges, a vertical partition hinged to said bottom, and means for locking said partition to said posts whereby the various parts of the crate are held rigidly in set up position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

HERBERT WILBERN.

Witnesses:

THEODORE L. BARTMAN, ALFRED H. SCHLOIPER.

Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. O. 

